Temples and Shrines in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Otaru Tenguyama Jinja

1 Goshuin

A Shinto shrine on Mt. Tengu in Otaru, Hokkaido, near the ropeway summit. It is a small mountaintop shrine linked to Sarutahiko worship and a scenic stop for visitors enjoying panoramic views over Otaru Port and Ishikari Bay.

Why you should go

Locate and rub the nose of the Tengu statue (called 'Hanade Tengu-san') near the shrine, as this is a popular wish-granting ritual specific to this location.
Arrive at the shrine via the ropeway early in the morning or on weekdays to experience the mountaintop shrine in relative solitude, as most visitors come for the daytime views and night scenery rather than the spiritual site itself.
Take photos of the illuminated torii gates and shrine approach at night, as the lighting creates a notably different and more atmospheric scene than daytime visits.

2 Chome Tenguyama, Otaru, Hokkaido 047-0012, JapanWebsite

Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya

Suwa, Nagano

1 Goshuin

Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya is the autumn shrine of Suwa Grand Shrine’s Lower Shrine in Shimosuwa, Nagano. It is an important Shinto site tied to ancient regional worship, seasonal rituals, and the wider Suwa shrine complex overlooking Lake Suwa.

Why you should go

Akimiya serves as the autumn shrine while its sister Harumiya functions as the spring shrine. Both form the Lower Shrine complex on Lake Suwa's northern shore in Shimosuwa town.
Suwa Taisha is considered one of Japan's oldest shrines; the Nihon Shoki implies it already existed in the late 7th century.
Akimiya is one of four shrines in the Suwa complex, one of Japan's oldest Shinto sites dating to at least the 7th century. The complex splits into Upper and Lower shrines on opposite sides of Lake Suwa.

5828 Shimosuwa, Suwa District, Nagano 393-0052, JapanWebsite +81 266-27-8035

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Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya

Suwa, Nagano

1 Goshuin

A historic Shinto shrine in Shimosuwa, Nagano, and one of the four main shrines of the Suwa Taisha complex. Set near the Togawa River, it is known for its quiet wooded grounds, seasonal rituals, and connection to the wider Lake Suwa shrine system.

Why you should go

The shrine sits beside the Togawa River and features a sacred Japanese cedar tree, blending so gradually into residential Shimosuwa streets that visitors say it 'emerges from ordinary town' rather than announcing itself.
Almost no historical documents from the Lower Shrine (which includes Harumiya) survived through the centuries. Nearly all records about Suwa Taisha come from the Upper Shrine across the lake.
Harumiya means 'Spring Shrine' because the deity traditionally resides here from February to July, then moves to nearby Akimiya (Autumn Shrine) for the rest of the year in a seasonal ritual unique to Suwa Taisha.

193 Daimon, Shimosuwa, Suwa District, Nagano 393-0092, JapanWebsite +81 266-27-8316

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Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya

Suwa, Nagano

1 Goshuin

One of Japan's oldest shrines and head of over 5,000 Suwa shrines nationwide. Part of the Suwa Taisha complex with four main shrines around Lake Suwa. Famous for the Onbashira Festival held every six years, featuring massive log pillars.

1 Miyayama, Nakasu, Suwa, Nagano 392-0015Website +81 266-52-1919

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Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya

Suwa, Nagano

Opens in 47 min

1 Goshuin

One of the four shrines of Suwa Taisha, Kamisha Maemiya is the former shrine of the Upper Shrine group in Chino, Nagano. It is an ancient Shinto site linked to Suwa worship, Onbashira traditions, and the wider Lake Suwa shrine complex.

Why you should go

Maemiya is the only one of the four Suwa Taisha shrines with an actual honden (main sanctuary building) that houses the sacred shintai. The other three shrines have only worship halls.
The shrine's honden was built in 1932 using timber salvaged from the Grand Shrine of Ise, connecting it to Japan's most sacred shrine complex through its very structure.
The shrine is part of a system with over 60 auxiliary shrines scattered around Lake Suwa, ranging from tiny stone structures to full compounds, each playing a role in the ritual calendar.

2030 Miyagawa, Chino, Nagano 391-0013, JapanWebsite +81 266-72-1606

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Nagano Prefecture

Cities & Wards

Suwa

Top places to visit in Nagano Prefecture

Otaru Tenguyama Jinja

Why you should go

Nagano Prefecture throughout the year

Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya

Why you should go

Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya

Why you should go

Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya

Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya

Why you should go

Cities & Wards

Suwa

Top places to visit in Nagano Prefecture

Otaru Tenguyama Jinja

Why you should go

Nagano Prefecture throughout the year

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Suwa Taisha Shimosha Akimiya

Why you should go

Suwa Taisha Shimosha Harumiya

Why you should go

Suwa Taisha Kamisha Honmiya

Suwa Taisha Kamisha Maemiya

Why you should go